Local singer-songwriter Ray Flanagan. Credit: Courtesy of ROAM
Roots of American Music (ROAM), a non-profit organization whose mission is to “facilitate learning in diverse communities by providing customized arts programs, workshops, residencies and performances through use of traditional American music,” was created in 1999 to provide arts programming to the Northeast Ohio community using traditional American music as a way to connect students to our past.

Earlier today, the ROAM folks announced that they’ll present a program dubbed Emigrate! Bound for Cleveland! at 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 14, at Terrestrial Brewing Company.

The event aims to explore how immigration impacted Northeast Ohio. Specifically, it will tell the story of boxer Johnny Kilbane, a child of Irish immigrants, went on to hold the featherweight title from 1912 to 1923.

The event will also address the challenges faced by Cleveland’s Irish immigrant community in the early 1900s. The local Irish punk band the Boys from the County Hell, traditional Irish musician Ruairi Hurley and local singer-songwriter Ray Flanagan will perform.

Admission is free.

This article appears in Mar 6-12, 2019.

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.